Code for amount of Romex in x diameter hole?

[paperfist]

I bore a 1" hole and I need to run 12/2 and 14/3 though it so I'm wondering if there's only so many runs I can pull through?

What about stapling 12/2 or 14/3 together, that seems to not be allowed?

Thanks!

 

[NutBucket]

I've never seen multiple cables sharing a staple. I know there's a spec for wires in a conduit. I'd guess there's one for holes too but I don't know it.

 

[paperfist]

I've never seen multiple cables sharing a staple. I know there's a spec for wires in a conduit. I'd guess there's one for holes too but I don't know it.

So if I need to run 3 - 12/3 cables down a 2x4 how would you do it since they are supposed to be in the center of the stud?

 

[NetWareHead]

I've stapled up to 3 cables (Romex) together in tight places but I probably wouldn't go more than that. It has to do with heat dissipation in each cable and when bundling cables together, the heat generated within the bundle may damage the wire's insulation forcing you lower the amount of current flowing to protect them (derating). One example I found is for a bundle of 10-20 conductors (5-10 cables with ground), a 12 gauge cable has to be fused at 15 amps and 10 gauge at 20. Why pay for lower gauge cable and have to derate it? Give it room and avoid this hassle.

On a 2x4 a hole shouldn't exceed 1 3/8 in or 40% and should be in the center. If you have to notch the stud, don't exceed 25% or 7/8 in. If you need more room, make another hole some distance away and run the more cable through that.

 

[stormkroe]

In canukistan, on single phase you can have 3 NM hot wires in a hole as long as 2 of them share a neutral or are switch legs for 3-way switches. I'll have to check NEC for current amercanese.

 

[stormkroe]

So if I need to run 3 - 12/3 cables down a 2x4 how would you do it since they are supposed to be in the center of the stud?

2 flats under a staple (s1 nailing strap), only 1 'round' per (14/3, 12/3, etc).
Keep them close to the center of the stud and you'll be fine.

 

[paperfist]

2 flats under a staple (s1 nailing strap), only 1 'round' per (14/3, 12/3, etc).
Keep them close to the center of the stud and you'll be fine.

Oh that wiring is dead sexy!

Thanks! I'm good then just have 2 flats under a staple in a couple of spots.

Sigh on the 3NM per hole. Time to bore another run overhead

Actually, in 1 hole I have 1 - 14/3 run for a 3-way switch + 14/3 for switch leg run and I was going to run another 14/3 in the same hole for the smokes.

 

[stormkroe]

Oh that wiring is dead sexy!

Thanks! I'm good then just have 2 flats under a staple in a couple of spots.

Sigh on the 3NM per hole. Time to bore another run overhead

Actually, in 1 hole I have 1 - 14/3 run for a 3-way switch + 14/3 for switch leg run and I was going to run another 14/3 in the same hole for the smokes.

Thanks!
Honestly, the 3 hots per hole rule has been fudged to ignore the 2nd part (people just pull 3 14/2 or 12/2, etc without the shared neutral) for so long that I've NEVER had an inspector even bring it up.

 

[paperfist]

Thanks!
Honestly, the 3 hots per hole rule has been fudged to ignore the 2nd part (people just pull 3 14/2 or 12/2, etc without the shared neutral) for so long that I've NEVER had an inspector even bring it up.

I figured as much, but I couldn't get a hold of my electrician and wanted to finish up some wiring and couldn't really get a complete answer from the net as for how many per hole. I really didn't want to re-run this stuff so I went with what you said last night and ended up making another set of bores overhead to run wire for the last room.

lol 3 way wiring always fudges me up both in the layout and how many wires you actually need to make it happen.